MTC bolsters construction R&D reputation as Kier joins

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has further cemented its position as the leading facility for construction & infrastructure R&D after industry giant Kier became the latest addition to its expanding membership portfolio.

Kier, which employs 21,000 employees across the UK, has joined Coventry-based MTC to further explore innovative approaches to construction that improves its offering and will streamline its delivery.

It has highlighted several key areas that it will look to explore and exploit as part of its MTC membership. These are:
• Augmented reality
• Robotics
• 3D printing
• MTC process analysis

“We’re looking forward to working with industry peers to develop new R&D projects that will help us deliver the construction and infrastructure projects of the future.”

Kier launched its membership of the MTC with a Innovation Forum for 15 of its leading staff, drawing on the recently launched Construction & Infrastructure Roadmap produced by the i3P (Infrastructure Industry Innovation Platform) and the MTC.

The roadmap outlines the critical challenges which need to be addressed in order to meet the targets set in the Government’s Construction 2025 Strategy – including 33% lower costs; 50% faster delivery; 50% lower emissions, and a 50% increase in exports.

Kier, a member of i3P, becomes the latest in a growing list of construction and infrastructure ‘heavyweights’ working with the MTC, including Amey, HS2, Network Rail and Skanska.

Trudi Sully, associate director for construction and infrastructure at the MTC, said: “Bringing Kier into membership is a significant step in consolidating the MTC’s position and strength as a major player in R&D for the construction and infrastructure sector.

“Having them on-board alongside our other key sector members speaks to the wider market about the vital opportunity for collaborative innovation and will enable us to develop more expertise and broaden our engagement with the sector.

“We look forward to a very positive and productive working relationship.”